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ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2013 : 20:51:20

Hi Got a question. When I'm setting up the fixed rigging, do I set the mast straight and then pull the rake into the mast with the adjustable backstay? I guess then, when I leave the boat, I would release the line and the mast would go back to vertical. Thanks for any help.

ed spengeman
Indianapolis (geist)
Port Captain
Palakida
83 tr/sk

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2013 : 21:55:49

You should have some rake in the mast even with the backstay off. The adjustable backstay is used in high winds to tension the forestay and flatten the jib.

The guide here is helpful:
http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/snkmast.asp

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2013 : 06:07:10

Most articles on rig tuning speak only to the tuning of a rig with no backstay adjuster. The only article I have seen that describes how to tune a C25 rig with a backstay adjuster is the one at the end of my article in "Racing Tips." There must be one somewhere, but I haven't found it.

When tuning the rigging of a boat with a backstay adjuster, my suggestion is that you tune it with the backstay adjuster fully tensioned, as it will be when you are sailing to windward in a strong breeze. Thus, the rig should be tuned and the maximum rake should be established with the backstay adjuster fully tensioned. The rake of the mast will be established by the tensioning of the forestay and backstay. The erectness and straightness of the mast, and any possible mast bend will be established by the adjustment of the uppers and lowers.

When the boat is in it's slip, the backstay adjuster should be eased, but not all the way. The stays shouldn't be so loose that they are swaying in the breeze, but the backstay adjuster should be tensioned enough so that the mast can't be whipped by a strong wind.

IMO, establishing the correct amount of rake is only important when sailing to windward. I have never actually checked the rake with the backstay adjuster eased, but would guess that the mast has little or no rake. The main purpose of rake is to balance the rig so that, if you release the tiller while sailing to windward, the boat will come up to windward (i.e., weather helm). As you bear away from the wind, weather helm isn't a factor. You have to keep a hand on the helm to control the boat's heading.

Edited by - on

ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2013 : 11:11:30

Thanks gentlemen. I'll go out and do it now.

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
Captain

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USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2013 : 12:39:07

I tuned my C-22 using a LOOS Guage with the adjustable backstay as loose as it would go. The problem I experienced was that when I tightened it up to about 50%, the rear shrouds became TOO loose and just didn't look right ! I think that I am going to tune my C-25 with the rear adjustment at 25%, do the shrouds and then readjust at 50%. This way the rear shouds are loose however not to the extreme that I experienced.

Just sayin'.....

R

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2013 : 12:58:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ftworthsailor
 I tuned my C-22 using a LOOS Guage with the adjustable backstay as loose as it would go. The problem I experienced was that when I tightened it up to about 50%, the rear shrouds became TOO loose and just didn't look right ! I think that I am going to tune my C-25 with the rear adjustment at 25%, do the shrouds and then readjust at 50%. This way the rear shouds are loose however not to the extreme that I experienced.

Just sayin'.....

R

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">From your description, I'd say your forward lowers are too loose. If you'll read my article, the forward lowers hold the lower part of the mast in place, so that the entire mast doesn't tilt aft when you tension the backstay adjuster. The forward lowers limit the movement of the lower section of the mast. If the aft lowers are becoming even more slack when you apply backstay tension, that means the forward lowers are permitting the lower part of the mast to tilt aft.

Ideally, when you apply backstay tension, the forward lowers should be very taut, the lower part of the mast should actually thrust very slightly forward (although it probably won't move enough to be visible), and the aft lowers should become less slack. The aft lowers should be adjusted so that they become taut when the maximum amount of backstay tension is applied. The aft lowers protect the mast by preventing it from bending too far.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 05/02/2013 13:57:49

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